The 3 Kitesurfing Commandments

When kitesurfing becomes your religion there are few things that are going to become your musts. Today I want to share with you my three kitesurfing commandments:

1. You shall use sunscreen and drink water

Especially for those who ride in tropical locations, where the sun doesn’t forgive you even when it is behind the clouds, wearing the right sunscreen and drinking tons of water becomes a survival skill. Just in case you still don’t know, I learn almost all my lessons with mistakes. During my first weeks in Barbados I used to arrive home after my kitesurfing sessions and pass out with a sun stroke: burned skin, headache… not good! Especially when you wake up to another sunny and windy day and feel like you can’t even look at the sun!

Now I am faithful to the first commandment: I use sunscreen that actually stays on my skin for as long as my kite sessions are, even if I rub off the salty water from my eyes every few minutes, and I apply and reapply as many times as I can. Also, I always try to have a frozen water bottle in the freezer ready to travel with me to the beach. You will actually drink more water if is cold.

2. You shall use the right clothing

Burned shoulders, bikinis that move around at bad times, rashes on your skin… those are the symptoms of not being faithful to the second commandment. I think every kitesurfing girl is about to or had to learn this lesson with an embarrassing situation where you realize your bikini is not where it is supposed to be. Finding bikini tops and bottoms that actually stay when kiting is not an easy task, but not impossible. There are many brands that are specialized on designing swimwear for girls who ride hard. The KiteSirens team is working on finding our perfect fit. We will inform you as soon as we find it! So… find your favourite kitesurfing swimwear brand and go kiting without having to check your clothing every second.

The added accessories can also be important: I like to kite with a hat to protect my face from the sun, which I tie to my bikini top or harness with a homemade leash so I don’t lose it when crashing. But just in case, make sure it’s not your favourite hat!

3. You shall warm up and stretch

Third commandment, and not the least important. I am still working on my faith for that one, as I don’t always warm up before my sessions or stretch after them. However, I learned something essential: don’t start to ride super hard from the first second you stand up on your board. Even though you feel like you are missing the opportunity to do the best jump ever during your first seconds of kiting (I don’t know why I always start feeling like I am a superhero), control yourself and cruise around for at least 10 minutes before you start the real action. Your joints and muscles will thank you! It also wouldn’t hurt to warm up your knees and shoulders at the beach before launching your kite.

And after your kitesurfing session keep the faith up and stretch! Get to know your body and give it what it needs. There is not a better place to do that than at the beach, right after kitesurfing.

Remember it’s your own body that provides you with the best times in the water and you are the only one responsible for it. Create your own commandments and be faithful to yourself!
Leave a comment and share with us what your musts are when kiting.

I think if you ask my friends they might say I am a happy, spontaneous and outgoing kitesurfer. My family would describe me more as a laid back and relaxed person, probably stubborn too. My co-workers might think I am fortunate, passionate and maybe a bit crazy. I see myself as an adventurous, playful, confident and a life lover spirit.